Decorative sheet

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a decorative sheet capable of vividly displaying deep-color designs including raven blackness. The decorative sheet includes a base material, and at least a protective layer, a primer layer, and a decorative layer laminated in this order on the base material, wherein the decorative layer contains a black pigment and the primer layer is formed of a cured product of a resin composition containing a resin A having a hydroxyl value of 44 mgKOH/g or less.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a decorative sheet capable of vividlydisplaying a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness, and adecorative resin molded article obtained using the decorative sheet.

BACKGROUND ART

For resin molded articles to be used in automobile interiors andexteriors, building interior materials, household electric appliancesand so on, and resin molded articles to be used in organic glass that isused as an alternative material for inorganic glass, etc., techniquesfor laminating a decorative sheet for the purpose of surface protectionand impartment of design property are used. Decorative sheets to be usedin these techniques can be classified broadly into lamination-typedecorative sheets and transfer-type decorative sheets. In thelamination-type decorative sheet, a surface protective layer islaminated on a support base material so as to be situated on theoutermost surface, and a molded resin is laminated on the support basematerial side, so that the support base material is incorporated in aresin molded article. On the other hand, in the transfer-type decorativesheet, a surface protective layer is laminated on a support basematerial directly or with a release layer interposed therebetween, therelease layer being provided as necessary, and a molded resin islaminated on a side opposite to the support base material, followed byseparating the support base material, so that the support base materialdoes not remain in a resin molded article. These two types of decorativesheets are used properly according to the shapes of resin moldedarticles and required functions.

In recent years, resin molded articles obtained using a transfer-typedecorative sheet have been required to have more advanced designproperty with diversification of users' preferences, and for example, anadvanced design having a deep and glossy vivid hue like one obtained byapplying a deep-colored lacquer, such a design with raven blackness, hasbeen desired. Not only a decorative layer but also a base material or asurface protective layer contributes to display of a hue having a colorand gloss like raven blackness. In this connection, a method has beenproposed in which by using a specific pigment in a decorative layer andenhancing the transparency of a layer disposed on the outermost side ofa resin molded article, for example, such a deep color that images ofsurroundings are projected on a surface of the resin molded article isdisplayed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique relating toa lamination-type decorative sheet in which a decorative layer is incontact with a base material disposed on the outermost side of a resinmolded article. On the other hand, in a transfer-type decorative sheet,a surface protective layer, a support base material and so on are formedoutside a decorative layer, and thus in a sheet state, the decorativelayer is not exposed. The transfer-type decorative sheet is integratedwith a molded resin, and the surface protective layer exposed afterseparation of the support base material forms a surface of the resinmolded article. Accordingly, when a transfer-type decorative sheet isused, it is further difficult to ensure that a color and gloss inobservation of a resin molded article decorated by a decorative sheet ismade close to a desired color and gloss set in design of a product.

For solving the above-mentioned problem, for example, Patent Document 2discloses a decorative film including a base material, a release layer,a surface protective layer, a primer layer and a decorative layer inthis order, wherein the surface protective layer is composed of a curedproduct of an ionizing radiation curable resin composition, the primerlayer is composed of a primer layer forming resin composition containinga polymer polyol, an isocyanate-based curing agent, and a binder resinhaving a glass transition temperature Tg of 77° C. or lower, and thecontent of the binder resin is 10 to 60% by mass based on the totalamount of the polymer polyol and the binder resin.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2002-292798

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-75502

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, even when aprimer layer is disposed between a decorative layer and a base material,or a surface protective layer exposed after separation of the basematerial forms a surface of a resin molded article, a color and glossthat is displayed exhibits a vivid hue, so that a deep color,particularly raven blackness can be vividly displayed.

In recent years, however, it has been required to display ravenblackness having a hue with more vivid color and gloss, and developmentof a technique, in addition to the technique disclosed in PatentDocument 2, has been desired for obtaining, for example, a resin moldedarticle having, on at least a part of a surface on the protective layerside, a black portion with a very low brightness in which the L* valuein the L*a*b* color system is 2.5 or less.

In view of the circumstances described above, a main object of thepresent invention is to provide a decorative sheet capable of vividlydisplaying a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness.Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a decorativeresin molded article obtained using the decorative sheet.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventorshave extensively conducted studies. As a result, the present inventorshave devised a decorative sheet including a base material, and at leasta protective layer, a primer layer and a decorative layer laminated inthis order on the base material, the decorative layer containing a blackpigment, the primer layer being formed of a cured product of a resincomposition containing a resin A having a hydroxyl value of 44 mg KOH/gor less, and the present inventors found that the decorative sheet iscapable of vividly displaying a deep-color design such as one with ravenblackness, and for example, a resin molded article having, on at least apart of a surface on the protective layer side, a black portion with avery low brightness in which the L* value in the L*a*b* color system is2.5 or less can be obtained using the decorative sheet. The presentinvention is an invention that has been completed by further conductingstudies based on the above-mentioned findings.

That is, the present invention provides inventions of aspects as listedbelow.

-   Item 1. A decorative sheet including a base material, and at least a    protective layer, a primer layer and a decorative layer are    laminated in this order on the base material.

the decorative layer containing a black pigment,

the primer layer being formed of a cured product of a resin compositioncontaining a resin A having a hydroxyl value of 44 mg KOH/g or less.

-   Item 2. The decorative sheet according to item 1, wherein the resin    A has a glass transition temperature in a range of 50 to 140° C.-   Item 3. The decorative sheet according to item 1 or 2, wherein the    resin A has a hydroxyl value in a range of 0 to 25 mg KOH/g.-   Item 4. The decorative sheet according to any one of items 1 to 3,    wherein a content of the resin A in the resin composition is 10% by    mass or more based on an amount of resin components contained in the    resin composition.-   Item 5. The decorative sheet according to any one of items 1 to 4,    wherein the decorative layer is formed of the black pigment, and a    resin composition containing a binder resin composed of the same    resin as the resin A.-   Item 6. The decorative sheet according to any one of items 1 to 5,    wherein at least a. part of the decorative layer has a portion    displaying a black design.-   Item 7. A decorative resin molded article obtained by transferring    the decorative sheet according to any one of items 1 to 6 to a    molded resin layer.-   Item 8. The decorative resin molded article according to item 7,    which has, on at least a part of a surface on the protective layer    side, a black portion in which an L* value in the L*a*b* color    system is 2.5 or less.

Advantages of the Invention

According to the present invention, there can be provided a decorativesheet capable of vividly displaying a deep-color design such as one withraven blackness. Further, according to the present invention, there canbe provided a decorative resin molded article obtained using thedecorative sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cross section structure of one form of adecorative sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cross section structure of one form of adecorative resin molded article with a support according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cross section structure of one form of adecorative resin molded article according to the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 1. Decorative Sheet

A decorative sheet according to the present invention is a decorativesheet including a base material, and at least a protective layer, aprimer layer and a decorative layer are laminated in this order on thebase material, the decorative layer containing a black pigment, theprimer layer being formed of a cured product of a resin compositioncontaining a resin A having a hydroxyl value of 44 mg KOH/g or less.Accordingly, the decorative sheet is capable of vividly displaying adeep-color design such as one with raven blackness. The decorative sheetaccording to the present invention can be laminated to variousadherends, followed by separating a base material to transfer aprotective layer, a primer layer and a decorative layer to thedecorative sheet. The adherend is not particularly limited, and forexample, a molded resin is suitably used as the adherend. The decorativesheet according to the present invention is particularly useful forproduction of a decorative resin molded article by transferring aprotective layer, a primer layer and a decorative layer onto a moldedresin. Hereinafter, the decorative sheet according to the presentinvention will be described in detail mainly for an aspect of thedecorative sheet to be used for production of a decorative resin moldedarticle.

Laminated Structure of Decorative Sheet

The decorative sheet according to the present invention includes a basematerial, and at least a protective layer 3, a primer layer 4 and adecorative layer 5 on the base material 1. A surface of the basematerial 1 on the protective layer 3 side may be provided with a releaselayer 2 as necessary for the purpose of, for example, improvingseparability between the base material 1 and the protective layer 3. Anadhesive layer 6 may be provided as necessary for the purpose of, forexample, improving adhesion between the decorative layer 5 and themolded resin layer 8.

Examples of the laminated structure of the decorative sheet according tothe present invention include a laminated structure in which a basematerial, a protective layer, a primer layer and a decorative layer arelaminated in this order; a laminated structure in which a base material,a release layer, a protective layer, a primer layer and a decorativelayer are laminated in this order; a laminated structure in which a basematerial, a protective layer, a primer layer, a decorative layer and anadhesive layer are laminated in this order; and a laminated structure inwhich a base material, a release layer, a protective layer, a primerlayer, a decorative layer and an adhesive layer are laminated in thisorder. As one aspect of the laminated structure of the decorative sheetaccording to the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of across section structure of one form of a decorative sheet in which abase material, a release layer, a protective layer, a primer layer, adecorative layer and an adhesive layer are laminated in this order.

Compositions of Layers Forming Decorative Sheet [Support 10]

The decorative sheet according to the present invention includes as thesupport 10 the base material 1, and the release layer 2 as necessary. Asdescribed later, the protective layer 3 formed on the base material 1,and the primer layer 4, the decorative layer 5, and the adhesive layer 6etc. additionally provided as necessary form a transfer layer 9. In thepresent invention, the decorative sheet and the molded resin areintegrally molded, the support 10 and the transfer layer 9 are thenpeeled from each other at the interface therebetween, and the support 10is separated and removed to obtain a decorative resin molded article.

(Base Material 1)

In the present invention, the base material 1 is used as the support 10which serves as a support member in the decorative sheet. The basematerial 1 for use in the present invention is selected in considerationof suitability for vacuum molding, and typically a resin sheet formed ofa thermoplastic resin is used, Examples of the thermoplastic resininclude polyester resins; acrylic resins; polyolefin resins such aspolypropylene and polyethylene; polycarbonate resins;acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS resins); and vinyl chlorideresins.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a polyester sheet asthe base material 1 from the viewpoint of heat resistance, dimensionalstability, moldability and versatility. The polyester resin that formsthe polyester sheet refers to a polymer including an ester groupobtained by polycondensation with a polyfunctional carboxylic acid and apolyhydric alcohol, and may be preferably polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)or the like, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being especiallypreferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance and dimensionalstability.

The base material 1 may contain fine particles for the purpose ofimproving workability. Examples of the fine particles may includeinorganic particles such as those of calcium carbonate, magnesiumcarbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, lithium phosphate, magnesiumphosphate, calcium phosphate, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and kaolin,organic particles such as those of acryl-based resins, and internallydeposited particles. The average particle size of the tine particles ispreferably 0.01 to 5.0 μm, more preferably 0.05 to 3.0 μm. The contentof the fine particles in the polyester resin is preferably 0.01 to 5.0%by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 1.0% by mass. Various kinds ofstabilizers, lubricants, antioxidants, antistatic agents, defoamingagents, fluorescent whitening agents and so on can be blended to basematerial 1 as necessary.

The polyester sheet to be suitably used as the base material 1 in thepresent invention is produced, for example, in the following manner.First, the polyester-based resin and other raw materials are fed into awell-known melt extrusion apparatus such as an extruder, and heated to atemperature equal to or higher than the melting point of thepolyester-based resin to be melted. The molten polymer is then rapidlycooled and solidified on a rotary cooling drum while being extruded soas to have a temperature equal to or lower than the glass transitiontemperature, so that a substantially noncrystalline unoriented sheet isobtained. The sheet is biaxially stretched to be sheeted, and issubjected to heat setting to obtain the polyester sheet. Here, thestretching method may be sequential biaxial stretching or simultaneousbiaxial stretching. The sheet may also be stretched again in alongitudinal and/or lateral direction before or after being subjected toheat setting. In the present invention, the draw ratio is preferably 7or less, more preferably 5 or less, further preferably 3 or less interms of an area ratio for obtaining sufficient dimensional stability.When the resulting polyester sheet is used in a decorative sheet forthree-dimensional molding in injection molding, the decorative sheet isnot shrunk again in a temperature range where the injected resin isinjected, and thus a sheet strength required in the temperature rangecan be obtained as long as the draw ratio is in a range as describedabove. The polyester sheet may be produced as described above, or may beobtained as a commercial product.

One or both of the surfaces of the base material 1 can be subjected to aphysical or chemical surface treatment such as an oxidation method or aroughening method as desired for the purpose of improving adhesion withthe later-described release layer 2. Examples of the oxidation methodinclude corona discharge treatment, chromium oxidation treatment, flametreatment, hot air treatment and ozone/ultraviolet ray treatmentmethods, and examples of the roughening method include sand blastingmethods and solvent treatment methods. The surface treatment isappropriately selected according to the type of the base material 1, butin general, a corona discharge treatment method is preferably used fromthe viewpoint of an effect, handling characteristics and so on. The basematerial 1 may be subjected to such a treatment that an easily adhesivelayer is formed for the purpose of, for example, enhancing interlayeradhesion between the base material 1 and a layer provided thereon. Whena commercial product is used as the polyester sheet, one subjected tothe above-mentioned surface treatment beforehand, or one provided withan easily adhesive layer can be used as the commercial product.

The thickness of the base material 1 is normally 10 to 150 μm,preferably 10 to 125 μm, more preferably 10 to 80 μm. As the basematerial 1, a single-layer sheet of the above-mentioned resin, or amulti-layer sheet of the same resin or different resins can be used.

(Release Layer 2)

The release layer 2 is provide on a surface of the base material 1, onthe side which the protective layer 3 is laminated, as necessary for thepurpose of, for example, improving separability between the basematerial 1 and the protective layer 3. The release layer 2 may be asolid release layer covering the whole surface (wholly solid), or may bepartially provided. Normally, the release layer 2 is preferably a solidrelease layer in view of separability.

The release layer 2 can be formed using the following resins alone or aresin composition obtained by mixing two or more thereof: thermoplasticresins such as silicone-based resins, fluorine-based resins, acryl-basedresins (including, for example, acryl-melamine-based resins),polyester-based resins, polyolefin-based resins, polystyrene-basedresins, polyurethane-based resins, cellulose-based resins, vinylchloride-vinyl acetate-based copolymer resins and cellulose nitrate;copolymers of monomers that form the thermoplastic resins; and(meth)acrylic acid or urethane-modified products of these resins. Amongthem, acryl-based resins, polyester-based resins, polyolefin-basedresins, polystyrene-based resins, copolymers of monomers that form theseresins, and urethane-modified products thereof are preferable, and morespecific examples include acryl-melamine-based resins alone,acryl-melamine-based resin-containing compositions, resin compositionsobtained by mixing a polyester-based resin with a urethane-modifiedproduct of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid, and resincompositions obtained by mixing an acryl-based resin with an emulsion ofa copolymer of styrene and acryl. It is especially preferable that therelease layer 2 be formed of an acryl-melamine-based resin alone, or acomposition containing 50% by mass or more of an acryl-melamine-basedresin among the above-mentioned resins. In the present invention, the“(meth)acrylic acid” means an “acrylic acid” or a “methacrylic acid”,and the same applies to other similar terms. The release layer 2 can beformed using an ionizing radiation curable resin composition asdescribed in the section “Protective Layer 3” in which at least one ofprepolymers, oligomers and monomers which are crosslinked and cured whenirradiated with an ionizing radiation and which have a polymerizableunsaturated bond or an epoxy group in the molecule is appropriatelymixed.

The thickness of the release layer 2 is normally about 0.01 to 5 μm,preferably about 0.05 to 3 μm.

(Transfer Layer 9)

the decorative sheet according to the present invention, the protectivelayer 3, the primer layer 4, the decorative layer 5, and the adhesivelayer 6 etc., all are formed on the support 10, additionally formed asnecessary form the transfer layer 9. In the present invention, thedecorative sheet and the molded resin are integrally molded, and thesupport 10 and the transfer layer 9 are then peeled from each other atthe interface therebetween, so that the transfer layer 9 of thedecorative sheet is transferred to the molded resin layer 8 to obtain adecorative resin molded article.

[Protective Layer 3]

The protective layer 3 is a layer that is provided on the decorativesheet in such a manner as to be situated on the outermost surface of theresin molded article for improving the chemical resistance, scratchresistance and the like of the decorative sheet. In the presentinvention, the resin for forming the protective layer 3 is notparticularly limited, examples thereof include thermosetting resins,thermoplastic resins and ionizing radiation curable resins, and theresin can be appropriately selected according to a use of the decorativesheet. Among these resins, ionizing radiation curable resins arepreferable for improving the scratch resistance of the decorative sheet,and imparting excellent surface characteristics. The protective layer 3may include one layer, or two or more layers.

The thermosetting resin is not particularly limited, and examplesthereof include epoxy resins, phenol resins, urea resins, unsaturatedpolyester resins, melamine resins, alkyd resins, polyimide resins,silicone resins, hydroxyl group-functional acrylic resins,carboxyl-functional acrylic resins, amide-functional copolymers andurethane resins. The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited,and specific examples thereof include acrylic resins such as polymethyl(meth)acrylate and polyethyl (meth)acrylate; polyolefin-based resinssuch as polypropylene and polyethylene; polycarbonate resins; polyvinylchloride-based resins; polyester resins such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN); acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS resins);and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic acid ester resins.

(Ionizing Radiation Curable Resin)

The ionizing radiation curable resin to be used for formation of theprotective layer 3 is a resin that is crosslinked and cured whenirradiated with an ionizing radiation, and specific examples thereofinclude those in which at least one of prepolymers, oligomers andmonomers each having a polymerizable unsaturated bond or an epoxy groupin the molecule is appropriately mixed. Here, the ionizing radiationmeans an electromagnetic wave or charged particle ray having an energyquantum capable of polymerizing or crosslinking a molecule, and normallyan ultraviolet (UV) ray or an electron beam (EB) is used, but theionizing radiations also include electromagnetic waves such as an X-rayand a γ-ray, and charged particle rays such as an α-ray and an ion beam.Among ionizing radiation curable resins, electron beam curable resinsare suitably used in formation of the protective layer 3 because theycan be made solventless, do not require an initiator forphotopolymerization, and exhibit stable curing characteristics.

As the monomer to be used as an ionizing radiation curable resin,(meth)acrylate monomers having a radical-polymerizable unsaturated groupin the molecule are suitable, and among them, polyfunctional(meth)acrylate monomers are preferable. The polyfunctional(meth)acrylate monomer may be a (meth)acrylate monomer having two ormore polymerizable unsaturated bonds in the molecule (di- or morefunctional), preferably three or more polymerizable unsaturated bonds inthe molecule (tri- or more functional). Specific examples of thepolyfunctional (meth)acrylate include ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate,propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, 1,4-butanediol di(meth)acrylate,1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate,polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, hydroxypivalic acid neopentylglycol di(meth)acrylate, dicyclopentanyl di(meth)acrylate,caprolactone-modified dicyclopentenyl di(meth)acrylate, ethyleneoxide-modified phosphoric acid di(meth)acrylate, allylated cyclohexyldi(meth)acrylate, isocyanurate di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate, ethylene oxide-modified trimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, propionicacid-modified dipentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritoltri(meth)acrylate, propylene oxide-modified trimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate, tris(acryloxyethyl)isocyanurate, propionicacid-modified dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate, ethylene oxide-modified dipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate and caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate. These monomers may be used alone, or may be used incombination of two or more thereof.

As the oligomer to be used as an ionizing radiation curable resin,(meth)acrylate oligomers having a radical-polymerizable unsaturatedgroup in the molecule are suitable, and among them, polyfunctional(meth)acrylate oligomers having two or more polymerizable unsaturatedbonds in the molecule (di-or-more functional) are preferable. Examplesof the polyfunctional (meth)acrylate oligomer include polycarbonate(meth)acrylate, acrylic silicone (meth)acrylate, urethane(meth)acrylate, epoxy(meth)acrylate, polyester (meth)acrylate, polyether(meth)acrylate, polybutadiene (meth)acrylate, silicone (meth)acrylate,and oligomers having a cation-polymerizable functional group in themolecule (e.g. novolac-type epoxy resins, bisphenol-type epoxy resins,aliphatic vinyl ethers, aromatic vinyl ethers and so on). Here, thepolycarbonate (meth)acrylate is not particularly limited as long as ithas a carbonate bond on the polymer main chain, and has a (meth)acrylategroup at the end or side chain, and the polycarbonate (meth)acrylate canbe obtained by esterifying a polycarbonate polyol with (meth)acrylicacid. The polycarbonate (meth)acrylate may be, for example, apolycarbonate-based urethane (meth)acrylate that is a urethane(meth)acrylate having a polycarbonate backbone. The urethane(meth)acrylate having a polycarbonate backbone is obtained by, forexample, reacting a polycarbonate polyol, a polyvalent isocyanatecompound and hydroxy (meth)acrylate. The acrylic silicone (meth)acrylatecan be obtained by radical-copolymerizing a silicone macro-monomer witha (meth)acrylate monomer. The urethane (meth)acrylate can be obtainedby, for example, esterifying a polyurethane oligomer with (meth)acrylicacid, the polyurethane oligomer being obtained by reaction of apolyether polyol, a polyester polyol, a caprolactone-based polyol or apolycarbonate polyol with a polyisocyanate compound. The epoxy(meth)acrylate can be obtained by, for example, reacting (meth)acrylicacid with an oxirane ring of a relatively low-molecular-weightbisphenol-type epoxy resin or novolac-type epoxy resin to performesterification. Carboxyl-modified epoxy (meth)acrylate obtained bypartially modifying the epoxy (meth)acrylate with a dibasic carboxylicanhydride can also be used. For example, the polyester (meth)acrylatecan be obtained by esterifying hydroxyl groups of a polyester oligomerwith (meth)acrylic acid, the polyester oligomer being obtained bycondensation of a polyvalent carboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcoholand having a hydroxyl group at each of both ends, or by esterifying ahydroxyl group at the end of an oligomer with (meth)acrylic acid, theoligomer being obtained by adding an alkylene oxide to a polyvalentcarboxylic acid.

The polyether (meth)acrylate can be obtained by esterifying a hydroxylgroup of a polyether polyol with (meth)acrylic acid. The polybutadiene(meth)acrylate can be obtained by adding (meth)acrylic acid to the sidechain of a polybutadiene oligomer. The silicone (meth)acrylate can beobtained by adding (meth)acrylic acid to the end or side chain of asilicone having a polysiloxane bond in the main chain. Among them,polycarbonate (meth)acrylate, urethane (meth)acrylate and the like areespecially preferable as polyfunctional (meth)acrylate oligomers. Theseoligomers may be used alone, or may be used in combination of two ormore thereof.

When the decorative sheet according to the present invention is used forthree-dimensional molding, it is preferable to use polycarbonate(meth)acrylate, among the above-mentioned ionizing radiation curableresins, for obtaining excellent three-dimensional moldability. Morepreferably, polycarbonate (meth)acrylate and urethane (meth)acrylate areused in combination for securing both three-dimensional moldability andscratch resistance. When a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomer is usedas the ionizing radiation curable resin, it is preferable to use theionizing radiation curable resin in combination with a thermoplasticresin such as an acrylic resin for obtaining excellent three-dimensionalmoldability, and the mass ratio of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylatemonomer and the thermoplastic resin in the ionizing radiation curableresin composition is preferably 25:75 to 75:25 for securing boththree-dimensional moldability and scratch resistance. When a urethane(meth)acrylate is used as the ionizing radiation curable resin, acaprolactone-based urethane (meth)acrylate obtained by esterifying apolyurethane oligomer, which is obtained by reaction of acaprolactone-based polyol with a polyisocyanate compound, by a(meth)acrylic acid, or the above-mentioned polycarbonate-based urethane(meth)acrylate is preferably used for securing both three-dimensionalmoldability and scratch resistance.

(Inorganic Particles and Organic Particles)

The protective layer 3 may contain inorganic particles and/or organicparticles for the purpose of, for example, improving the chemicalresistance and scratch resistance of the decorative sheet, and vividlydisplaying a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness. Whenthe protective layer 3 contains inorganic particles and/or organicparticles, the total content of these particles in the protective layer3 is preferably about 30 to 60% by mass, preferably about 40 to 50% bymass. The average particle size of these particles contained in theprotective layer 3 is preferably about 0.01 to 0.5 μm. When the contentand the particle size of these particles in the protective layer 3 iseach in a range as described above, raven blackness obtained with thedecorative sheet according to the present invention can be made morevivid. The types of inorganic particles and organic particles in theprotective layer 3 may be the same as those shown for the primer layer 4described later. The methods for measurement and calculation of theaverage particle size of the particles contained in the protective layer3 are the same as methods shown for the primer layer 4 described later.

(Other Added Components)

In addition to the inorganic particles and organic particles, variouskinds of additives can be blended in the protective layer 3 according todesired properties to be imparted to the protective layer 3. Examples ofthe additives include weather resistance improving agents such asultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers, abrasion resistanceimprovers, polymerization inhibitors, crosslinkers, infrared absorbers,antistatic agents, bondability improvers, leveling agents, thixotropyimparting agents, coupling agents, plasticizers, antifoaming agents,fillers, solvents and colorants. The additives can be appropriatelyselected from those that are commonly used. As the ultraviolet absorberand light stabilizer, a reactive ultraviolet absorber and lightstabilizer having a polymerizable group such as a (meth)acryloyl groupin the molecule can also be used.

(Thickness of Protective Layer 3)

The thickness of the protective layer 3 (thickness after drying orcuring) is not particularly limited, but it is, for example, 1 to 1000μm, preferably 1 to 50 μm, further preferably 1 to 30 μm. When thethickness of the protective layer 3 after drying or curing falls withinthe above-mentioned range, sufficient properties as a protective layer,such as scratch resistance and weather resistance, are obtained, and inthe case where the protective layer 3 is formed using an ionizingradiation curable resin, the resin can be uniformly irradiated with anionizing radiation, and therefore can be uniformly cured, thus beingadvantageous in terms of economy. Further, when the thickness of theprotective layer 3 after drying or curing falls within theabove-mentioned range, the three-dimensional moldability of thedecorative sheet is further improved, and therefore high followabilityto a complicated three-dimensional shape in automobile interiorapplications or the like can be obtained.

(Formation of Protective Layer 3 with Ionizing Radiation Curable Resin)

Formation of the protective layer 3 is performed by, for example,preparing an ionizing radiation-curable resin composition containing anionizing radiation curable resin, and applying and crosslinking/curingthe ionizing radiation-curable resin composition. The viscosity of theionizing radiation curable resin composition is not limited as long asan uncured resin layer can be formed on the surface of the primer layer4 situated under the protective layer 3 by an application method asdescribed later.

In the present invention, an uncured resin layer is formed by applying aprepared application liquid onto the primer layer 4 situated under theprotective layer 3 using a known method such as gravure coating, barcoating, roll coating, reverse roll coating or comma coating, preferablygravure coating in such a manner that the above-mentioned thickness isobtained.

The uncured resin layer formed in this manner is irradiated with anionizing radiation such as an electron beam or an ultraviolet ray tocure the uncured resin layer, so that the protective layer 3 is formed.When an electron beam is used as the ionizing radiation, an acceleratingvoltage thereof can be appropriately selected according to a resin to beused and a thickness of the layer, but the accelerating voltage isnormally about 70 to 300 kV.

In irradiation of an electron beam, the transmission capacity increasesas the accelerating voltage becomes higher, and therefore when a resinthat is easily degraded by irradiation of an electron beam is used in alayer under the protective layer 3, an accelerating voltage is selectedso that the transmission depth of the electron beam is substantiallyequal to the thickness of the protective layer 3. Accordingly, a layersituated under the protective layer 3 can be inhibited from beingexcessively irradiated with an electron beam, so that degradation of thelayers by an excessive electron beam can be minimized.

The amount of radiation is preferably an amount with which thecrosslinking density of the protective layer 3 is saturated, and theamount of radiation is selected within a range of normally 5 to 300 kGy(0.5 to 30 Mrad), preferably 10 to 50 kGy (1 to 5 Mrad).

Further, the electron beam source is not particularly limited, andvarious kinds of electron beam accelerators can be used such as, forexample, those of Cockcroft-Walton type, Van de Graaff type, tunedtransformer type, insulated core transformer type, linear type,dynamitron type and high frequency type.

When an ultraviolet ray is used as the ionizing radiation, it ispractical to radiate light including an ultraviolet ray having awavelength of 190 to 380 nm. The ultraviolet ray source is notparticularly limited, and examples thereof include high-pressure mercurylamps, low-pressure mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, carbon arc lampsand ultraviolet-ray emitting diodes (LED-UV).

The protective layer 3 thus formed may be treated to give theretofunctions such as a hard coat function, an anticlouding coat function,an antifouling coat function, an antiglare coat function, anantireflection coat function, an ultraviolet shielding coat function andan infrared shielding coat function by adding various kinds ofadditives.

[Primer Layer 4]

The primer layer 4 is a layer that is provided for improving adhesionbetween the protective layer 3 and a layer situated thereunder (on aside opposite to the support 10), and vividly displaying a deep-colordesign such as one with raven blackness in decorative resin moldedarticle after transfer by interaction of the primer layer 4 with thelater-described decorative layer 5 containing a black pigment with theprimer layer 4 being formed of a cured product of a resin compositioncontaining the resin A having a hydroxyl value of 44 mg KOH/g or less.When a figure, character, pattered picture or non-figure unicolor designformed on the decorative layer 5 is expressed with a particularlydeep-color tone, an original hue of the tone, for example a hue withraven blackness in the case of black color, can be vividly displayed bydisposing the primer layer 4. In addition, the primer layer 4contributes to improvement of adhesion, improvement of weatherresistance, improvement of strength, and so on.

The resin A to be used for formation of the primer layer 4 is notparticularly limited as long as it has a hydroxyl value of 44 mg KOH/gor less, and examples thereof include acryl-based resins, urethane-basedresins, polyester-based resins, polyether-based resins,polycarbonate-based resins and polyvinyl chloride-based resins, withacryl-based resins being preferable. Preferably, the resin compositionfor forming the primer layer 4 contains an isocyanate-based curing agenttogether with the resin A.

For example, for obtaining a resin molded article having, on at least apart of a surface on the protective layer side, a black portion with avery low brightness in which the L* value of is 2.5 or less, thehydroxyl value of the resin A is preferably in the range of about 0 to40 mg KOH/g, more preferably in the range of about 0 to 25 mg KOH/g. Inthe present invention, the hydroxyl value of resin is a value measuredby a method specified in JIS K1557-1.

The glass transition temperature of the resin A is preferably 50° C. orhigher. When the glass transition temperature of the resin A is 50° C.or higher, the transfer property of the decorative layer 5 in formationof the later-described decorative layer 5 on the primer layer 4 isimproved. Thus, the quality of products is stabilized to favorproduction, and color unevenness in the decorative layer 5 hardlyoccurs, so that a resin molded article further excellent in designproperty can be provided. For improving the transfer property of thedecorative layer 5, and more vividly displaying a deep-color design, theglass transition temperature of the resin A is preferably in the rangeof about 50 to 150° C., more preferably in the range of about 65 to 115°C. In the present invention, the glass transition temperature (° C.)means a temperature (° C.) at which a peak shoulder is formed in adifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method.

The weight average molecular weight of the resin A is preferably in therange of about 1,000 to 500,000, more preferably in the range of about5,000 to 100,000. In the present invention, the weight average molecularweight of resin is a value measured by gel permeation chromatography(GPC) analysis and calculated in terms of standard polystyrene.

The content of the resin A in resin components for forming the primerlayer 4 in the present invention is not particularly limited, but forvividly displaying a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness,the content of the resin A is preferably 10% by mass or more, morepreferably in the range of 25 to 100% by mass, further preferably in therange of 45 to 100% by mass, still further preferably in the range of 65to 100% by mass. Especially preferably, the primer layer 4 is formedonly of the resin A.

<Isocyanate-based Curing Agent>

When the resin composition for forming the primer layer 4 in the presentinvention contains an isocyanate-based curing agent, theisocyanate-based curing agent is not particularly limited, but it ispreferably a polyvalent isocyanate, and for example, aromaticisocyanates such as 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, xylene diisocyanate,naphthalene diisocyanate and 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate;aliphatic isocyanates or cycloaliphatic isocyanates such as1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenediisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, hydrogenated tolylenediisocyanate, hydrogenated diphenylmethane diisocyanate and xylylenediisocyanate; and the like can be used. Adducts or multimers of thesevarious kinds of isocyanates, for example adducts of tolylenediisocyanate, trimers of tolylene diisocyanate, and the like can also beused. The isocyanate-based curing agents may be used alone, or may beused in combination of two or more thereof.

Among isocyanate-based curing agents, particularly aliphatic isocyanatessuch as 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, cycloaliphatic isocyanates suchas isophorone diisocyanate, hydrogenated tolylene diisocyanate andhydrogenated diphenylmethane diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, oradducts or multimers of these isocyanates can be used. Particularly,these isocyanate-based curing agents are called non-yellowing-typeisocyanate compounds, and are capable of maintaining a state in which anoriginal hue of a color tome of a picture etc. formed on a decorativelayer while suppressing yellowing in a weather resistance test etc.Thus, the isocyanate-based curing agent is preferably anon-yellowing-type isocyanate compound.

When the resin composition for forming the primer layer 4 contains anisocyanate-based curing agent, the content of the isocyanate-basedcuring agent in the resin composition is not particularly limited, butit is preferably about 3 to 45 parts by mass, more preferably about 3 to25 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of resin components in theresin composition from the viewpoint of adhesion, and printability inlamination of the decorative layer etc.

<Binder Resin>

The resin composition for forming the primer layer 4 in the presentinvention may contain a binder resin in addition to the resin A. In thepresent invention, the binder resin is a resin that does not satisfy theabove-mentioned requirement for the resin A, and has a hydroxyl value ofmore than 44 mg KOH/g. Specifically, a polyurethane-based resin, a vinylchloride-vinyl acetate-based copolymer resin, a polyester resin or thelike can be used as the binder resin. The weight average molecularweight of a resin that can be used as the binder resin is preferablyabout 10,000 to 300,000, more preferably about 50,000 to 200,000.

<inorganic Particles and Organic Particles>

The primer layer 4 may contain inorganic particles and/or organicparticles for further vividly displaying a deep-color design such as onewith raven blackness in the decorative resin molded article aftertransfer. The total content of inorganic particles and/or organicparticles in the primer layer 4 is preferably about 11 to 50% by mass,more preferably about 25 to 35% by mass.

The average particle size of inorganic particles and organic particlesis not particularly limited, but it is preferably about 0.01 to 3 μm,more preferably about 1 to 2 μm for vividly displaying a deep-colordesign such as one with raven blackness by interaction of the primerlayer 4 with the decorative layer 5. The average particle size ofinorganic particles and organic particles means a 50% particle size(d50: median diameter) when the particles in a solution are measured bya dynamic light scattering method, and the particle size distribution isexpressed as a cumulative distribution. The particle size is a valuemeasured using a Microtrac particle size analyzer (manufactured byNIKKISO CO., LTD.).

The inorganic particles are not particularly limited, but for vividlydisplaying a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness byinteraction of the primer layer 4 with the decorative layer 5, silicaparticles (colloidal silica, fumed silica, precipitated silica and soon), and metal oxide particles such as alumina particles, zirconiaparticles, titania particles and zinc oxide particles are preferable.Among them, silica particles and alumina particles are preferably, withsilica particles being particularly preferable. The inorganic particlesmay be used alone, or may be used in combination of two or more thereof.

The organic particles are not particularly limited, but for vividlydisplaying a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness byinteraction of the primer layer 4 with the decorative layer 5, urethanebeads, nylon beads, acrylic beads, silicone beads, styrene beads,melamine beads, urethane acryl beads, polyester beads, polyethylenebeads and so on are preferable. Among them, urethane beads, nylon beadsand acrylic beads are preferable. The organic particles may be usedalone, or may be used in combination of two or more thereof.

The shapes of the inorganic particles and organic particles arespherical, elliptical, polyhedral, scaly or the like, and the shapes ofthese particles are preferably uniform and well-ordered. As theinorganic particles and organic particles, commercially availableproducts can also be used.

The primer layer 4 may contain inorganic particles and/or organicparticles, but it is preferable that the primer layer 4 containsinorganic particles. The primer layer 4 may contain substantially onlyinorganic particles.

The thickness of the primer layer 4 is not particularly limited, but itis, for example, about 0.1 to 10 μm, preferably about 1 to 10 μm. Whenthe primer layer 4 satisfies the thickness as described above, thedeep-color design, such as one with raven blackness, of the decorativesheet can be more vividly displayed, and breakage, rupture, whiteningand the like of the protective layer 3 can be effectively suppressed.

The primer layer 4 is formed by a normal coating method such as gravurecoating, gravure reverse coating, gravure offset coating, spinnercoating, roll coating, reverse roll coating, kiss coating, wheelercoating, dip coating, solid coaling with a silk screen, wire barcoating, flow coating, comma coating, pour coating, blushing or spraycoating, or a transfer coating method using a resin composition forforming the primer layer 4. Here, the transfer coating method is amethod in which a coating film of a primer layer or adhesive layer isformed on a thin sheet (film base material), and thereafter the surfaceof the intended layer in the decorative sheet is coated with the coatingfilm.

[Decorative Layer 5]

The decorative layer 5 is a layer that is provided for vividlydisplaying a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness in thedecorative resin molded article after transfer in cooperation with theprimer layer 4. The decorative layer 5 contains a black pigment. A blackdesign from the black pigment contained in the decorative layer 5interacts with the primer layer 4 to vividly display a deep-color designsuch as one with raven blackness in the decorative resin molded articleafter transfer. The decorative layer 5 may be a partially providedlayer, but it is preferable that the decorative layer 5 is (a whollysolid layer that is) formed over the whole of a surface of thedecorative sheet. At least a part of the decorative layer 5 may have aportion displaying a black design, with the other portion displaying adesign other than a black design.

The decorative layer 5 has at least one of a decorative picture layerand a decorative solid layer (not illustrated). The decorative layer 5may have both a decorative picture layer and a decorative solid layer.The decorative picture layer and the decorative solid layer may be eachstained with a concealing color as necessary, or may have transparency.The decorative sheet according to the present invention has the primerlayer 4 formed using the resin A and the decorative layer 5 containing ablack pigment, and therefore, for example, a resin molded articlehaving, on at least a part of a surface on the protective layer 3 side,a black portion with a very low brightness in which the L* value is 2.5or less is obtained. Such a resin molded article displays a color whichis expressed as “vivid and glossy black”, “piano black” or “raven black”when the resin molded article is observed through the protective layer3.

The decorative picture layer and the decorative solid layer are eachprovided with a figure, characters, a patterned picture or the likeusing a printing ink. The picture is not limited as long as it can beprinted by a common printing technique. Examples of the picture includewoody textures, pebble-like textures, cloth-like textures, sand-liketextures, geometrical figures and characters. The decorative solid layeris a layer that is uniformly formed over the whole of a surface of theprimer layer 4. Alternatively, the decorative solid layer is formed overthe whole of a surface of the primer layer 4 which is printed with thedecorative picture layer. The decorative solid layer is disposed on themolded article side from the decorative picture layer for setting off apicture formed on the decorative picture layer. For ensuring that theground color of a surface of a molded article before decoration is notviewed from the protective layer 3 side, it is preferable to form adecorative picture layer and decorative solid layer having highconcealment property.

The black pigment contained in the decorative layer 5 is notparticularly limited as long as it can display a black color, andexamples thereof include carbon black and magnetite-type triirontetraoxide. The black pigments may be used alone, or may be used incombination of two or more thereof. The particle size of the pigment isnot particularly limited, but the average particle size of the pigmentis preferably 10 nm to 100 nm, further preferably 10 nm to 40 nm.

The content of the black pigment in the decorative layer 5 is notparticularly limited, but it is preferably about 10 to 50% by mass, morepreferably about 30 to 40% by mass for vividly displaying a deep-colordesign such as one with raven blackness by interaction of the decorativelayer 5 with the primer layer 4.

The decorative layer 5 is formed using a printing ink containing a blackpigment, a binder resin, and a solvent or dispersion medium.

The decorative layer 5 may include a colorant other than a black pigmentwithin the bounds of not hindering the effect of the present invention.The other colorant is not particularly limited, and examples thereofinclude metallic pigments formed of scalelike foil powders of metalssuch as aluminum, chromium, nickel, tin, titanium, iron phosphate,copper, gold, silver and brass, alloys or metal compounds; pearly luster(pearl) pigments formed of foil powders of mica-like iron oxide,titanium dioxide-coated mica, titanium dioxide-coated bismuthoxychloride, bismuth oxychloride, titanium dioxide-coated talc,scalelike foils, colored titanium dioxide-coated mica, basic leadcarbonate and the like; fluorescent pigments such as strontiumaluminate, calcium aluminate, barium aluminate, zinc sulfide and calciumsulfide; white inorganic pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc whiteand antimony trioxide; inorganic pigments such as zinc white, iron red,vermilion, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, titanium yellow and chromeyellow; organic pigments (including dyes) such as isoindolinone yellow,Hansa Yellow A, quinacridone red, permanent red 4R, phthalocyanine blue,indanthrene blue RS and aniline black. These other colorants may be usedalone, or may be used in combination of two or more thereof.

The binder resin in the printing ink to be used for formation of thedecorative layer 5 is not particularly limited, and examples thereofinclude acryl-based resins, styrene-based resins, polyester-basedresins, urethane-based resins, chlorinated polyolefin-based resins,vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer-based resins, polyvinyl butyralresins, alkyd-based resins, petroleum-based resins, ketone resins,epoxy-based resins, melamine-based resins, fluorine-based resins,silicone-based resins, cellulose derivatives and rubber-based resins.These binder resins may be used alone, or may be used in combination oftwo or more thereof.

For improving compatibility between the primer layer and the decorativelayer, and vividly displaying a deep-color design such as one with ravenblackness, the decorative layer 5 may be formed of a resin compositioncontaining the black pigment, and a binder resin composed of the sameresin as the resin A. When the same resins are laminated, compatibilitybetween the primer layer and the black decorative layer is improved, andtherefore an interface is hardly generated between the primer layer andthe black decorative layer, so that generation of interference fringescan be suppressed, leading to improvement of raven blackness property.

The solvent or dispersion medium in the printing ink to be used forformation of the decorative layer 5 is not particularly limited, andexamples thereof include petroleum-based organic solvents such ashexane, heptane, octane, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, cyclohexane andmethyl cyclohexane; ester-based organic solvents such as ethyl acetate,butyl acetate, acetic acid-2-methoxyethyl and acetic acid-2-ethoxyethyl;alcohol-based organic solvents such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol,normal-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, ethyleneglycol and propylene glycol; ketone-based organic solvents such asacetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone;ether-based organic solvents such as diethyl ether, dioxane andtetrahydrofuran; chlorine-based organic solvents such asdichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene andtetrachloroethylene; and water. These solvents or dispersion media inthe printing ink may be used alone, or may be used in combination of twoor more thereof.

The printing ink to be used for formation of the decorative layer 5 maycontain an anti-settling agent, a curing catalyst, an ultravioletabsorber, an antioxidant, a leveling agent, a thickener, a defoamingagent, a lubricant and the like as necessary.

The decorative layer 5 can be formed on the adjacent layer such as theprimer layer 4 by a known printing method such as gravure printing,flexographic printing, silk screen printing or offset printing.

The thickness of the decorative layer 5 is not particularly limited, andfor example, it is about 1 to 40 μm, preferably about 3 to 30 μm.

[Adhesive Layer 6]

The adhesive layer 6 is a layer that is provided on, for example, a backsurface (on the molded resin layer 8 side) of the decorative layer 5 asnecessary for the purpose of, for example, improving adhesion betweenthe decorative sheet and the molded resin layer 8. The resin for formingthe adhesive layer 6 is not particularly limited as long as it canimprove adhesion and bondability between the decorative layer and themolded resin layer, and examples thereof include thermoplastic resinsand thermosetting resins. Examples of the thermoplastic resin includeacrylic resins, acryl-modified polyolefin resins, chlorinated polyolefinresins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, thermoplastic urethaneresins, thermoplastic polyester resins, polyamide resins andrubber-based resins. The thermoplastic resins may be used alone, or maybe used in combination of two or more thereof. Examples of thethermosetting resin include urethane resins and epoxy resins. Thethermosetting resins may be used alone, or may be used in combination oftwo or more thereof.

The adhesive layer 6 is not a layer that is necessarily needed, but itis preferable to provide the adhesive layer 6 when it is conceivablethat the decorative sheet according to the present invention is appliedto a decoration method in which the decorative sheet is bonded onto apreviously provided resin molded body, such as, for example, a vacuumpress-bonding method as described later. When the decorative sheet isused in a vacuum press-bonding method, it is preferable to form theadhesive layer 6 using, among various resins described above, one thatis commonly used as a resin which exhibits bondability under pressure orheating.

The thickness of the adhesive layer 6 is not particularly limited, butit is, for example, about 0.1 to 30 μm, preferably about 0.5 to 20 μm,further preferably about 1 to 8 μm.

2. Decorative Resin Molded Article and Method for Production thereof

The decorative resin molded article according to the present inventioncan be produced by integrating a molded resin with the decorative sheetaccording to the present invention, and transferring to the molded resinlayer 8 the transfer layer 9 including the protective layer 3, theprimer layer 4 and the decorative layer 5.

Specifically, the decorative sheet according to the present invention isused as a transfer-type decorative sheet, and the molded resin layer 8is laminated on a side opposite to the support 10 in the decorativesheet to obtain a decorative resin molded article with a support inwhich at least the molded resin layer 8, the decorative layer 5, theprimer layer 4, the protective layer 3 and the support 10 are laminatedin this order (see, for example, FIG. 2). Next, the support 10 isseparated from the decorative resin molded article with a support toobtain the decorative resin molded article according to the presentinvention in which at least the molded resin layer 8, the decorativelayer 5, the primer layer 4 and the protective layer 3 are laminated(see, for example, FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the decorative resinmolded article according to the present invention may be furtherprovided with the adhesive layer 6 and so on as necessary. In thedecorative sheet according to the present invention, the protectivelayer 3, the decorative layer 5, the primer layer 4, the adhesive layer6 and so on form the transfer layer 9, and the base material 1 and therelease layer 2 form the support 10. The transfer layer 9 in thedecorative sheet is transferred to the molded resin layer 8 to obtain adecorative resin molded article.

Preferably, the decorative resin molded article according to the presentinvention has, on at least a part of a surface on the protective layerside, a black portion in which the L* value is 2.5 or less. Thedecorative resin molded article according to the present invention isproduced using the decorative sheet according to the present invention,and therefore can have such a black portion with a very low brightness,and excellent raven blackness can be displayed at the portion. Further,when the whole of a surface of the decorative resin molded article ofthe invention on the protective layer side has a black color in whichthe L* value is 2.5 or less, excellent raven blackness is displayed overthe whole decorative resin molded article.

The L* value of a surface of the decorative resin molded articleaccording to the present invention is a value obtained by measuring theL* value in the L*a*b* color system for a surface of the decorativeresin molded article on the protective layer side usingSpectrophotometric Colorimeter CM-2500d (light source: D65, angle: 10°)manufactured by KONICA MINOLTA, INC.

Examples of the method for producing the decorative resin molded articleaccording to the present invention using the decorative sheet fortransfer include a method including the steps of (1) to (5):

-   (1) heating a decorative sheet from the decorative layer side by a    heating platen while the decorative layer side (side opposite to a    support) of the decorative sheet is kept facing the inside of a    mold;-   (2) preliminarily molding (vacuum-molding) the heated decorative so    as to follow the shape of the inside of a mold, and thus bringing    the decorative sheet into close contact with the inner surface of    the mold to close the mold;-   (3) injecting a resin into the mold;-   (4) cooling the injected resin, and then taking a decorative resin    molded article (decorative resin molded article with a support) from    the mold; and-   (5) separating the support from a protective layer of the decorative    resin molded article.

In both the steps (1) and (2), the temperature at which the decorativesheet is heated is preferably equal to or higher than a temperature inthe vicinity of the glass transition temperature and lower than themelting temperature (or melting point) of the base material 1. Normally,it is more preferable to heat the decorative sheet at a temperature inthe vicinity of the glass transition temperature of the transferringbase material 1. The vicinity of the glass transition temperature refersto a range of the glass transition temperature±about 5° C., and isgenerally about 70 to 130° C. when a. polyester film suitable as thebase material 1 is used. When a mold having a shape which is not socomplicated is used, the step of heating the decorative sheet and thestep of preliminarily molding the decorative sheet may be omitted tomold the decorative sheet in the shape of the mold by means of heat andpressure from the injected resin in the later-described step (3).

In the step (3), the later-described molding resin is melted, andinjected into a cavity to integrate the decorative sheet and the moldingresin with each other. When the molding resin is a thermoplastic resin,the resin is heated and melted to be brought into a flowing state, andwhen the molding resin is a thermosetting resin, an uncured liquidcomposition is injected in a flowing state at room temperature or byappropriately heating the composition, and cooled to be solidified.Accordingly, the decorative sheet is integrally attached to the formedresin molded body to form a decorative resin molded article with asupport. The temperature at which the injected resin is heated dependson the type of the molding resin, but is generally about 180 to 320° C.

The thus obtained decorative resin molded article with a support iscooled and then taken out from the mold in the step (4), and thereafter,in the step (5), the support 10 is separated from the protective layer 3to obtain a decorative resin molded article. The step of separating thesupport 10 from the protective layer 3 may be carried out concurrentlywith the step of taking out the decorative resin molded article from themold. In other words, the step (5) may be included in the step (4).

Further, production of the decorative resin molded article can beperformed by a vacuum press-bonding method. In the vacuum press-bondingmethod, first the decorative sheet of the present invention and a resinmolded body are placed in a vacuum press-bonding machine including afirst vacuum chamber situated on the upper side and a second vacuumchamber situated on the lower side in such a manner that the decorativesheet is on the first vacuum chamber side and the resin molded body ison the second vacuum chamber side, and that the side of the decorativesheet on which the molded resin layer 8 is laminated faces the resinmolded body side. The two vacuum chambers are then evacuated. The resinmolded body is placed on a lift table that is provided on the secondvacuum chamber side and is capable of moving up and down. Then, thefirst vacuum chamber is pressurized, and the molded body is abuttedagainst the decorative sheet with the lift table, and by using apressure difference between the two vacuum chambers, the decorativesheet is bonded to the surface of the resin molded body while beingstretched. Finally, the two vacuum chambers are released to atmosphericpressure, the support 10 is separated, and an unnecessary portion of thedecorative sheet is trimmed off as necessary, so that the decorativeresin molded article according to the present invention can be obtained.

Preferably, the vacuum press-bonding method includes a step of heatingthe decorative sheet for softening the decorative sheet to improve themoldability thereof before the step of abutting the molded body againstthe decorative sheet. The vacuum press-bonding method including such astep may be referred to particularly as a vacuum heating andpress-bonding method. The heating temperature in such a step may beappropriately selected according to a type of the resin that forms thedecorative sheet, or a thickness of the decorative sheet, but when apolyester resin film or an acrylic resin film is used as, for example,the base material 1, the heating temperature may be normally about 60 to200° C.

In the decorative resin molded article of the present invention, a resinappropriate to an intended use may be selected to form the molded resinlayer 8. The molding resin for forming the molded resin layer 8 may be athermoplastic resin or may be a thermosetting resin.

Specific examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyolefin-basedresins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, ABS resins, styreneresins, polycarbonate resins, acrylic resins and vinyl chloride-basedresins. These thermoplastic resins may be used alone, or may be used incombination of two or more thereof.

Examples of the thermosetting resin include urethane resins and epoxyresins. These thermosetting resins may be used alone, or may be used incombination of two or more thereof.

Since in the decorative resin molded article with a support, the support10 serves as a protective sheet for the decorative resin molded article,the support 10 may be maintained as it is without being separated afterproduction of the decorative resin molded article with a support, andmay be separated at the time of use. When used in this manner, thedecorative resin molded article can be prevented from being scratchedby, for example, scraping during transportation.

The decorative resin molded article according to the present inventionvividly displays a deep-color design such as one with raven blackness.Therefore, the resin molded article according to the present inventioncan be used for, for example, interior materials or exterior materialsof vehicles such as automobiles; fittings such as window frames and doorframes; interior materials of buildings such as walls, floors andceilings; housings of household electric appliances such as televisionreceivers and air conditioners; and containers etc.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way ofexamples and comparative examples. However, the present invention is notlimited to examples.

[Production of Decorative Sheet]

A polyethylene terephthalate film (thickness: 50 μm) with an easilyadhesive layer formed on one surface thereof was used as a basematerial. A coating solution mainly composed of a melamine-based resinwas applied to a surface of the easily adhesive layer of thepolyethylene terephthalate film by gravure printing to form a releaselayer (thickness: 1 μm). An ionizing radiation curable resin compositionas shown in Table 1 was applied onto the release layer by a bar coaterin such a manner that the thickness after curing would be 3 μm, so thata protective layer forming coating film was formed. The coating film wasirradiated with an electron beam having an accelerating voltage of 165kV and an amount of irradiation of 50 kGy (5 Mrad), so that theprotective layer forming coating film vas cured to form a protectivelayer. A resin composition containing a resin A as described in Table 1was applied onto the protective layer by gravure printing to form aprimer layer (thickness: 1.5 μm). Further, a black solid decorativelayer (thickness: 2 μm) was formed on the primer layer by gravureprinting using a decorative layer forming black ink compositioncontaining an acrylic resin and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-basedcopolymer resin (50% by mass of acrylic resin and 50% by mass of vinylchloride-vinyl acetate-based copolymer resin) as a binder resin, and 30%by mass of a black pigment (carbon black, average particle size: 13 nm).Further, using an adhesive layer forming resin composition containing anacryl-based resin (softening temperature: 125° C.), an adhesive layer(thickness: 2 μm) was formed on the decorative layer by gravure printingto produce a decorative sheet with a base material, a release layer, aprotective layer, a primer layer, a decorative layer and an adhesivelayer laminated in this order. Details of the ionizing radiation curableresin composition for forming the protective layer and the resincomposition for forming the primer layer are as follows.

<Ionizing Radiation Curable Resin Composition>

-   Ionizing radiation curable resin composition A: Ionizing radiation    curable resin composition containing 40 parts by mass of a    polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (pentaerythritol triacrylate,    molecular weight: 298), 60 parts by mass of a thermoplastic resin    (acrylic resin, glass transition temperature Tg: 105° C.) having a    weight average molecular weight Mw of 150000, 1.1 parts by mass of    an ultraviolet absorber, 0.6 parts by mass of a light stabilizer and    0.2 parts by mass of a leveling agent.-   Ionizing radiation curable resin composition B: Ionizing radiation    curable resin composition containing 94 parts by mass of a    functional polycarbonate-based urethane acrylate (weight average    molecular weight: 10,000), 6 parts by mass of a hexafunctional    urethane acrylate (weight average molecular weight: 6,000), 1.1    parts by mass of an ultraviolet absorber, 0.6 parts by mass of a    light stabilizer and 0.2 parts by mass of a leveling agent.

<Resin Composition for Forming Primer Layer> Example 1

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin a (glass transitiontemperature: 40° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 105,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:17.

Example 2

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin b (glass transitiontemperature: 50° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 70,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:22.

Example 3

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin c (glass transitiontemperature: 80° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 65,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:22.

Example 4

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin d (glass transitiontemperature: 105° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 68,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:22.

Example 5

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin e (glass transitiontemperature: 105° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 40,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:22.

Example 6

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin f (glass transitiontemperature: 135° C., hydroxyl value: 25 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 15,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:17.

Example 7

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin g (glass transitiontemperature: 70° C., hydroxyl value: 35 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 50,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:22.

Example 8

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin h (glass transitiontemperature: 90° C., hydroxyl value: 40 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 35,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:22.

Example 9

Resin composition containing an ester-based resin a (glass transitiontemperature: 65° C., hydroxyl value: 6 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 15,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:17.

Example 10

Resin composition containing an ester-based resin b (glass transitiontemperature: 67° C., hydroxyl value: 6 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 17,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:22.

Example 11

Resin composition containing a urethane-based resin a (glass transitiontemperature: 92° C., hydroxyl value: 19 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 6,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) at amass ratio of 100:22.

Example 12

Resin composition containing a mixed resin of the acryl-based resin d(glass transition temperature: 105° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g,weight average molecular weight: 68,000) and the acryl-based resin i(glass transition temperature: 90° C., hydroxyl value: 81 mg KOH/g,weight average molecular weight: 35,000) (mass ratio in terms of a solidcontent: 100:50), and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) at a massratio of 100:22.

Example 13

Resin composition containing a mixed resin of the acryl-based resin d(glass transition temperature: 105° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g,weight average molecular weight: 68,000) and an acryl-based resin i(glass transition temperature: 90° C., hydroxyl value: 81 mg KOH/g,weight average molecular weight: 35,000) (mass ratio in terms of a solidcontent: 100:115), and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) at a massratio of 100:22.

Example 14

Resin composition containing a mixed resin of the acryl-based resin d(glass transition temperature: 105° C., hydroxyl value: 0 mg KOH/g,weight average molecular weight: 68,000) and the acryl-based resin i(glass transition temperature: 90° C. hydroxyl value: 81 mg KOH/g,weight average molecular weight: 35,000) (mass ratio in terms of a solidcontent: 100:270), and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) at a massratio of 100:22.

Comparative Example 1

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin i (glass transitiontemperature: 90° C., hydroxyl value: 81 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 35,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XD1) ata mass ratio of 100:28.

Comparative Example 2

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin i (glass transitiontemperature: 90° C., hydroxyl value: 81 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 35,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:28.

Comparative Example 3

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin j (glass transitiontemperature: 90° C., hydroxyl value: 120 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 35,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:28.

Comparative Example 4

Resin composition containing an acryl-based resin k (glass transitiontemperature: 45° C., hydroxyl value: 150 mg KOH/g, weight averagemolecular weight: 15,000) and an isocyanate-based curing agent (XDI) ata mass ratio of 100:27.

The weight average molecular weight, the glass transition temperature Tgand the hydroxyl value of the resin A shown in Table 1 were measured bythe following methods, respectively.

(1) Hydroxyl Value

The hydroxyl value was measured by the method specified in JIS K 1557-1.

(2) Weight Average Molecular Weight

A value measured by GPC analysis and calculated in terms of standardpolystyrene was used.

(3) Glass Transition Temperature Tg

A temperature at which a peak shoulder was formed in a differentialscanning calorimetry (DSC) method was defined as a glass transitiontemperature Tg (° C.).

[Production of Resin Molded Article]

Each decorative sheet obtained as described above was placed in a mold,heated at 350° C. for 7 seconds with an infrared heater, andpreliminarily molded so as to follow the shape of the inside of themold, so that the mold was closed (maximum draw ratio: 100%).Thereafter, the injected resin was injected into the cavity of the moldto integrally mold the decorative sheet and the injected resin, themolded product was taken out from the mold, and simultaneously thesupport (base material and release layer) was separated and removed toobtain a decorative resin molded article.

<Initial Adhesion of Decorative Layer and Protective Layer with PrimerLayer Interposed therebetween>

The decorative resin molded article obtained as described above wassubjected to a checkerboard adhesion test (the article is notched so asto draw 11 lines in a longitudinal direction and 11 lines in a lateraldirection at intervals of 2 mm, so that a checkerboard with 100 squaresis formed, and Cellotape (registered trademark) manufactured by NichibanCo., Ltd, is then press-bonded onto the checkerboard, and rapidlyseparated), and adhesion of the decorative layer and the protectivelayer with the primer layer interposed therebetween was evaluated inaccordance with the following criteria.

(Evaluation Criteria)

-   ◯: Either the protective layer or the decorative layer was not    peeled, and adhesion of these layers was satisfactory.-   Δ: The protective layer or the decorative layer was slightly peeled,    but there was practically no problem.-   x: The protective layer or the decorative layer was peeled.    <Measurement of L value of Decorative Resin Molded Article>

For a surface of the decorative resin molded article, the L* value inthe L*a*b* color system was measured using SpectrophotometricColorimeter CM-2500d (light source: D65, angle: 10°)manufactured byKONICA MINOLTA, INC. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Transfer Property of Decorative Layer to Primer Layer>

By gravure printing, a primer layer, a decorative layer and an adhesivelayer were formed on a film with a release layer and a protective layerlaminated in this order on a base material. At this time, occurrence ofink transfer to the printing plate, and the condition of printingstreaks were visually examined in the state of a decorative sheet and inthe state of a decorative resin molded article.

-   ⊙: Ink transfer to the printing plate and printing streaks etc. were    not observed either in the state of a decorative sheet or in the    state of a molded article, and transfer property was satisfactory.-   ◯: Slight printing streaks etc. were observed in the state of a    decorative sheet, but were not visually observed after molding, and    therefore there was practically no problem.-   Δ: There existed portions where ink transfer to the printing plate    and printing streaks etc. were visually observed after molding.-   x: Ink transfer to the printing plate and printing streaks etc. were    observed over a wide range after molding, and the design feeling was    considerably impaired.

TABLE 1 Ionizing radiation curable resin Transfer L* value ofcomposition Hydroxyl property of decorative for forming value Initialdecorative resin molded protective layer Resin A Tg (° C.) (mgKOH/g)adhesion layer article Example 1 A Acryl-based resin a 40 0 ◯ Δ 2.04Example 2 Acryl-based resin b 50 0 ◯ ◯ 2.09 Example 3 Acryl-based resinc 80 0 ◯ ⊙ 1.98 Example 4 Acryl-based resin d 105 0 ◯ ⊙ 1.01 Example 5Acryl-based resin e 105 0 ◯ ⊙ 1.67 Example 6 Acryl-based resin f 135 25Δ ⊙ 1.86 Example 7 Acryl-based resin g 70 35 ◯ ⊙ 1.62 Example 8Acryl-based resin h 90 40 ◯ ⊙ 1.92 Example 9 Ester-based resin a 65 6 ◯⊙ 1.69 Example 10 Ester-based resin b 67 6 ◯ ◯ 1.59 Example 11Urethane-based resin a 92 19 ◯ ⊙ 1.56 Example 12 Mixed resin of *1 *2 ◯⊙ 1.05 acryl-based resin d:acryl- based resin i = 100:50 (mass ratio)Example 13 Mixed resin of *1 *2 ◯ ⊙ 1.35 acryl-based resin d:acryl-based resin i = 100:115 (mass ratio) Example 14 Mixed resin of *1 *2 ◯ ⊙1.90 acryl-based resin d:acryl- based resin i = 100:270 (mass ratio)Comparative Acryl-based resin i 90 81 ◯ ⊙ 3.24 Example 1 Comparative BAcryl-based resin i 90 81 ◯ ⊙ 2.96 Example 2 Comparative Acryl-basedresin j 90 120 ◯ ⊙ 3.02 Example 3 Comparative A Acryl-based resin k 45150 ◯ Δ 2.69 Example 4 *1: The acryl-based resin d has a glasstransition temperature Tg of 105° C., and the acryl-based resin i has aglass transition temperature Tg of 90° C. *2: The acryl-based resin dhas a hydroxyl value of 0 mg KOH/g, and the acryl-based resin i has ahydroxyl value of 81 mg KOH/g.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1: Base material

2: Release layer

3: Protective layer

4: Primer layer

5: Decorative layer

6: Adhesive layer

8: Molded resin layer

9: Transfer layer

10: Support

1. A decorative sheet comprising a base material, and at least aprotective layer, a primer layer and a decorative layer laminated inthis order on the base material, the decorative layer containing a blackpigment, the primer layer being formed of a cured product of a resincomposition containing a resin A having a hydroxyl value of 44 mg KOH/gor less.
 2. The decorative sheet according to claim 1, wherein the resinA has a glass transition temperature in a range of 50 to 140° C.
 3. Thedecorative sheet according to claim 1, wherein the resin A has ahydroxyl value in a range of 0 to 25 mg KOH/g.
 4. The decorative sheetaccording to claim 1, wherein a content of the resin A in the resincomposition is 10% by mass or more based on an amount of resincomponents contained in the resin composition.
 5. The decorative sheetaccording to claim 1, wherein the decorative layer is formed of theblack pigment, and a resin composition containing a binder resincomposed of the same resin as the resin A.
 6. The decorative sheetaccording to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the decorative layerhas a portion displaying a black design.
 7. A decorative resin moldedarticle obtained by transferring the decorative sheet according to claim1 to a molded resin layer.
 8. The decorative resin molded articleaccording to claim 7, which has, on at least a part of a surface on theprotective layer side, a black portion in which an L* value in theL*a*b* color system is 2.5 or less.
 9. The decorative sheet according toclaim 2, wherein the resin A has a hydroxyl value in a range of 0 to 25mg KOH/g.
 10. The decorative sheet according to claim 2, wherein acontent of the resin A in the resin composition is 10% by mass or morebased on an amount of resin components contained in the resincomposition.
 11. The decorative sheet according to claim 3, wherein acontent of the resin A in the resin composition is 10% by mass or morebased on an amount of resin components contained in the resincomposition.
 12. The decorative sheet according to claim 2, wherein thedecorative layer is formed of the black pigment, and a resin compositioncontaining a binder resin composed of the same resin as the resin A. 13.The decorative sheet according to claim 3, wherein the decorative layeris formed of the black pigment, and a resin composition containing abinder resin composed of the same resin as the resin A.
 14. Thedecorative sheet according to claim 4, wherein the decorative layer isformed of the black pigment, and a resin composition containing a binderresin composed of the same resin as the resin A.
 15. The decorativesheet according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the decorativelayer has a portion displaying a black design.
 16. The decorative sheetaccording to claim 3, wherein at least a part of the decorative layerhas a portion displaying a black design.
 17. The decorative sheetaccording to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the decorative layerhas a portion displaying a black design.
 18. A decorative resin moldedarticle obtained by transferring the decorative sheet according to claim2 to a molded resin layer.
 19. A decorative resin molded articleobtained by transferring the decorative sheet according to claim 3 to amolded resin layer.
 20. A decorative resin molded article obtained bytransferring the decorative sheet according to claim 4 to a molded resinlayer.